Are you a culture vulture, planning a jaunt to the capital? From Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to the London Eye, there’s plenty to see and do in London. With Lego Land and Harry Potter World close by, it’s impossible to get bored.
However, while you may need little to no help when it comes to compiling your itinerary, you might need a pointer when it comes to knowing where to stay. Do you stay in the heart of the hustle and bustle, or would you prefer something a little more on the quiet side?
Hushed or hustling, there’s a wealth of trendy places to stay:
The West End
Home to Soho, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Mayfair and Oxford Street, you don’t get much more central than the West End. Here you can find the bulk of London’s best art galleries, theatres and dining experiences. You can also find some pretty exciting nightlife here. There’s an array of cultured experiences to be had, whether you’re marvelling at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers in the National Gallery, catching Wicked at the National Theatre or picking up a designer label or two on Oxford Street.
Once a fashionable district for the aristocracy, the now energetic streets of Soho feature a broad range of dining, nightlife and shopping options. And just a short ten minute journey away is the Dorsett Hotel, Shepherds Bush – the ultimate stay for both pleasure and business complete with a gym and executive suites.
Kensington
Southwest of the West End, it’s an ideal location if you want to be close to central London but close to Heathrow airport. Not only is it convenient but its numerous star attractions give it the wow factor. Kensington Gardens are the ultimate picnic location during the warmer months but if the weather isn’t on your side, you can always take cover in the Natural History Museum or Science Museum and pick up some new facts for your next pub quiz.
South Bank
Just across from the River Thames, South Bank is another trendy spot to reside in during your trip to the capital. Littered with boutique hotels, if you’re after a quaint abode, look no further. The riverside walkway is tree-lined making for a nice stroll regardless of the weather. Plus, with plenty of restaurants and historic pubs to visit, you can always find shelter in a fashionable manner. There are frequent fairs and events going on here and it’s the perfect location to admire Big Ben and St. Paul’s Cathedral as you’re right by the London Eye.
Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia
A stone’s throw from the West End, Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia as chic can be with a mass of bookshops and quaint, Victorian streets. Plus, the British Museum is the star of the show so there really is plenty to see and do here. If you’re unconvinced about its trend appeal, Fitzrovia served as inspiration for Virginia Woolf – the novelist responsible for great works such as Mrs Dalloway.
Victoria
As transport-convenient as it is trendy, Victoria is another great spot to stay when visiting London. Slightly south of Westminster and easily accessible to the West End, you certainly aren’t missing out should you choose to stay here. Watch the city below from the Westminster Cathedral tower or roam the gardens and state rooms that are fit for a Queen – quite literally.
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